With the proliferation of fast and junk food, coupled with more hours spent in front of the TV and computer monitor, it’s a challenge for parents and educators to maintain kids’ interest in active and healthy lifestyles.

Luckily for us here in the Good Land, a local couple has decided to put the matter in the kids’ hands. Literally.

"There’s a huge concern about obesity with children," said Sharon Applegate, a nutrition specialist who’s worked with the Hope School District (Hope, Monte Vista, and Vieja Valley schools), and the Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Center for Wellness. She feels the best approach is for educators, families, and kids to tackle childhood obesity - a problem that affects up to one in four American children - together.
The tools are deceptively simple and delightfully low-tech: a deck of playing cards, much like the ones found at poker tables around the world. Instead of the traditional suits, however, Applegate and her husband, ad agency owner/manager Adam Zimmerman, put in the four food groups. The face cards suggest healthy alternatives to high-fat foods or sedentary activities.

"The kids love games," said Applegate, "and they don’t know that real food like fruits and vegetables have so many vitamins."

The cards function as flash cards, but they can also be used in games, which, said Zimmerman, have the added benefit of allowing kids to have fun while they learn. "Kids really respond to them, especially those in elementary school."

Parents have found uses for the cards as well. "I’ve had parents use these (cards) for shopping, especially for picky eaters," said Applegate. The benefit, she said, is the power of choice given to the children to decide what fruits and vegetables they want to eat, thus taking an active role in their own nutrition.

The project sprung out of the couple’s desire to work together. "We like to incorporate our skills and our specialties," said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, originally from Los Angeles, and Applegate, who once lived in a small town in Northern California, came to the area about 18 years ago, and found it to be a perfect fit.

"It’s not too big and not too small," said Applegate.

Zimmerman agrees. "[Goleta] has a nice feeling of community. You walk down the street and see people you know." The couple has two children, Hannah, a Dos Pueblos student, and Noah, a student at Vieja Valley School. No doubt their parents work hard to instill them with the value of healthy living. "They’re tired of hearing about it," Applegate said, laughing.

Not surprisingly, the couple finds Goleta to be receptive to their project. "People in this area are particularly open to trying new things," said Applegate. She has found that local schools are warming to the idea. She added that the emphasis on local farmers markets adds to the health awareness the community already has.

"Together I think we can make a dent," she said.

The nutrition cards can be found at the Goleta Borders, Tutti Frutti, and Chaucers bookstore, as well as online at www.foodfun4kids.com

PHOTO BY SONIA FERNANDEZ

Husband and wife team Adam Zimmerman and Sharon Applegate believe their nutrition cards help kids learn good eating habits.